San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1887-12-13

81 wonder when he will come home? and
will he be glad to see me again."
Certainly he could not have been Louis
| Charters.
CHAPTER xIv.-"TRIED, TROUBLED TEMPT.
Ed
81 don't like this" said Mrs. Langley to
herself few days before the dance she
was to give for Nalerie's semi-debut mfr
| Charters writes far too often and, for all
I know, Valerie writes as often in reply |
must cut this tangle loose But how
She rose from her davenport, where she
had been writing some letters, and walked
meditatively toward the fire. II have 1t. "
she added, after a pause. After Christ
mas will take her abroad; we will winter
in Italy, and return for the season. That
will be better in every way; Valerie will
| make an immense success at this dance,
then she will vanish; everyone will be talk.
ing about her, and she will return in time
for the drawing room, and take her place
at once as the belle of the London season,
and it will be strange if she does not pretty
well agree with me by that time that a poor
marriage is out Of the question"
If Mrs. Langley had even remotely con-
jectured the true state of the case, she
would hardly, clever woman though she
was, have spoken so confidently.
She went straight to Valerie's bOudoir-
my lady had boudOir, a French maid, and
all the paraphernalla of fashionable dam
sel-and made her proposition.
The girls eyes glowed, she clasped her
hands
"Rome-Venice- Florencer' she said,
under her breath. "Oh! aunt Constance
it has been the dream Of my lifen'
Il am glad you like the plan, dear If
Amy LinwOOd calls this afternoon, keep
her to dinner
And she quilted the room.
SHE wants me to forget Louis!'' said
Valerie to herself, when once more alone;
already she was growing more worldly.
wise. she thinks we cannot correspond
so often when am travelling about and Of
course we cannot see each other. But
what difference would that make if-if-
Oh! Louis she covered her face with q
sudden burst of tears. What shall | do'
! am so unhappy
Was she happy when, three nights later,
she stood in cream satin and pearls, ad-
mtted Queen Of Beauty amid a bevy OF
fair women? Was she as happy as on that
night nearly six months ago, when Max
Beauregard. by look and word. told her
she was beautiful Did she, in the second
aud greater triumph. forget the first? Not
once: yet new and pcrilous knowledge
was taking life and fOrm-grOwing-eX
panding-the knowledge of her power; the
terrible knowledge that she-girl. stripping
was stronger in her beauty than a strong
man in his strength, that her little hand
might grasp and crush a life. And this
was the London world, They were men
whose names were household words in the
grGnd monde who crowded around the
deblttnnte and counted it an honor to hold
her fan, her bouquet, her gloves or carry
a message for her; they were women uni.
versally admired, who envied her her tri
umph, and resolved to copy her gown.
Ay, sweet was the knowledge of power,
sweet the homage; and when all was over,
and too excited still for WEAKNESS, the girl
went up to her dressing groom, her aunt
came to her and embraced her with actual
tears of delight.
Dear child" she cried, was ever great
er success than yours, You have surpassed
even my expectations! Your name will be
in everyone mouth, Valerie. The crown
Of beauty is yours
No word of warning; only pleasure in the
triumph; and more incense added to the
clouds that had fiDated around the golden
head tonight! And when Mrs. Langley
kissed her niece's soft cheek and told her
to lie down and rest, she babe her dream
pleasant dreams of the brilliant future be
fore her.
And left alone, Valerie turned to the long
cheval-glass, and stood before it, stretching
her white arms above her head.
Yes she whispered Il am beautiful
She pushed her hand through the rich
curls golden in the light, dark where the
shadow fell, and laughed low, soft laugh.
"Why should beauty give me powerf but
it does-it doesH'
She paused, and her eyes grew wistful;
a mist swept before them, blurring the
dazzling image in the mirror. She turned
away slowly, and threw herself on couch,
hiding her face in the cushion.
Queen lily and rose in one" was ring
ing through her heart, music that banished
the girlsh thought of triumph and brought,
back the noble nature to its purer self.
Il don't want power" she said, pressing
her hands on her burning forehead, 81 only
want to see him again-mOre and more
every day! What shall l. do? lam always,
always thinking
A gentle tap at the door. Valerie start
ed. and sprang to her feet.
Come in" she said, and FanchOn ap-
peared.
ooh! FanchOn" said the girl you need
not have staid up; could have taken of
these things myself"
"MademOiselle is too kind. ! am used TO
it." replied the FrenchwOman; and then,
while she removed robes and jewels, she
poured out her admiration of mademOiselle,
and her pleasure in mademoiselle's sue.
cess. But Valerie gave no heed; the stream
of flattery weared her; and she was glad
when Fanchon's duties were over and she
was once more alone.
And at length she slept-a restless, fitful
sleep, troubled by confused dreams, in
which. however, last night had no part;
but it was the ball at bennington, and
though Max Beauregard was there, he
would not speak to her, or look at her,
turning from her in anger.
What have done? What have dOner"
she cried in anguish, in her dream; but
he seemed TO vanish away, and would not
answer; and the dreamer woke herself with
sobbing, to find it broad daylight.
1t was only dream, then, after all! ali!
thank Heaven-Only a dream. Her hand
stole to the little embroidered bag that lay
on her breast, as if what ii held were a
taliSman IN savp her from futnrp evil.